EW plans aimed at ensuring the most sustainable management of Wales’ farms and forests were broadly welcomed.

Glastir is the Welsh Government’s land management scheme for Wales - and a major issue for farmers.

Published last week, this was the third time the Welsh Government had reviewed it in an attempt to make it more attractive to farmers. It rewards farmers for carrying out environmental work.

There are two elements - the standard element and the higher level element - only a few farmers qualify for the latter, which also requires them to carry out water management and carbon storage projects.

Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, said the plans would “better support green growth and biodiversity, help build resilience within Welsh agriculture and be easier and quicker for farmers to access.”

The Welsh Government is inviting views on the proposals.

Alun Davies said: “Glastir is all about ensuring that our land is managed as sustainably as possible. It is a vital tool in helping us to increase the future prosperity and resilience of agriculture and forestry in Wales.

“Last year’s State of Nature report revealed the continuing decline of species within Wales and only served to highlight the pressure that our natural resources are under. This decline diminishes the ability of our natural resources to provide the services on which the agricultural industry and ultimately all of us depend.

“Recent extremes of weather have also highlighted our vulnerability and show that there is still much to do if we are to address the challenge of climate change.”

The new proposals include:

A new sustainable production grant to support business modernisation.

More opportunity for co-operative working in order to deliver environmental goods and services.

Increased support for moorland and upland farmers.

Online applications to reduce paperwork and speed up processing.

More funding for tree planting via the next RDP (Rural Development Plan).

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Antoinette Sandbach AM said: “Plans for a part-farm element are particularly welcome and follow our own pressure for this to be included.

“I am also extremely heartened to see Labour ministers listening to my own calls for a small grants scheme.

“This process is an excellent opportunity for farmers to have their say on a Labour-managed scheme that continues to stutter.